During this last year on television, we’ve had 15 gay and lesbian characters on various series that have been cancelled: “Crumbs,” “Emily’s Reasons Why Not,” “Kitchen Confidential,” “Book of Daniel,” “Inconceivable,” “Out of Practice” and “Twins.”

And this has proven to be a precursor to the drought we’re facing on this year’s television landscape, as far as GLBT portrayals are concerned.

This fall, only three new network shows are committed to any type of “gay agenda,” and by type I mean stereotype, which seems to be the order of the day from this less than bountiful harvest of supporting players.

“The Class” has two gay male characters, one of which is married and closeted, and the other (please turn to page 10 of your gay stereotype handbook) is a self-proclaimed connoisseur of all things “fabulous.” What is it about the straight community that makes them think we say “fabulous” at the drop of the hat? Girl!

“Help Me Help You” features a gay male who is the archetype of gay but doesn’t know it, which leads to him being the butt of many jokes. Wow! Sounds hi-larious!

“Brothers & Sisters” has a sister in brother’s clothing. One of the family members in the large ensemble cast is a “family” member, an openly gay district attorney who is also a father. Hopefully he won’t get lost in the shuffle of storylines, as he is this season’s best bet for our team.

Notice a trend with the new crop of GLBT folks on the tube this year? For starters, there are no B’s or T’s, and the only L’s returning to the networks are Dr. Kerry Weaver of “E.R.” and Patty from “The Simpsons.”

Lesbians are faring somewhat better on HBO’s “Deadwood,” with its depiction of dusty lovin’ between Calamity Jane and the town madame, Joanie Stubbs. And, of course, we have the lovely ladies of “The L Word.”

There’s even something for the boys. FX’s “Rescue Me” has been exploring another flaming side of being a firefighter with its character Mike “Probie” Silletti coming out as gay. His nickname should’ve been a dead giveaway.

Logo offers up something gay every minute of the day, and the cable channel does have regular programs like “Noah’s Arc,” which came back for its second season on Aug. 9. The sophomore season series details the lives and loves of Noah, Alex, Ricky and Chance, four African-American Angelinos on their quests to find Mr. Right, digging into their proverbial bag of tricks to discern who’s a keeper and who can be kicked to the curb. Airs Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m.

For those gays who don’t have cable, there are a few network shows that have some crossover appeal. Here’s what we have to work with.

“Heroes” is a visually stunning show about ordinary humans developing extraordinary superhuman powers. The show owes a lot to the X-Men franchise with its storyline of individuals coming into a new kind of their own. I viewed the pilot and the show definitely has potential, if it can avoid being a little heavy handed with the “you are special/you are unique” speeches.

Queer factor: Everyone’s very pretty to look at among a cast that includes Adrian Pasdar, Milo Ventimiglia (soon to be on the big screen in Rocky Balboa) and Hayden Panettiere. Even the heroin-addicted psychic painter looks like he does a few reps in between fixes. And, of course, there’s that whole “we’re different” vibe.

Queer detractor: Ali Larter, from two of the three Final Destination movies, drives a Gremlin! Not exactly the flashy vehicle we gays have come to love and expect from our superheroes – even Wonder Woman’s invisible jet looks nicer than a Gremlin! Steven Carrington (Jack Coleman), the No. 2 son on “Dynasty,” is back on primetime. Airs Mondays at 9:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 25

“Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” has a great cast of faces not seen on series television in awhile, including Matthew Perry (“Friends”), Ed Asner (“Mary Tyler Moore”), Steven Weber (“Wings”), Judd Hirsch (“Taxi”) and Timothy Busfield (“Thirtysomething”). This behind-the-scenes look at a “Saturday Night Live”-type show is actually one of two slated to debut on NBC this fall.

Queer factor: Self-deprecating humor is something we can all relate to. In the pilot episode, Matthew Perry’s character is hopped up on too many pills, chief among them Vicodin, which he struggled with in real life during his time on “Friends.” Bradley Whitford’s character is a director with a cocaine problem, ala series creator Aaron Sorkin, the man who brought us “The West Wing.” Pills and cocaine? Sounds like the makings of a Judy and Liza tribute, and what gay wouldn’t watch that? But the real reason to watch is Amanda Peet (Syriana), who is riveting and beautiful. And the sets are pretty, too.

Queer detractor: Judd Hirsch has a network-esque “I’m mad as hell” moment early on in the first show, telling people to change the channel because the show isn’t going to be funny. That’s the problem with the show-within-a-show premise here. I know it’s a dramedy, but you’d think they could come up with skits funnier than Peripheral Vision Man. Airs Mondays at 10:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 18

“Friday Night Lights” is based on the 1994 movie starring Billy Bob Thornton. In the TV series, Kyle Chandler (“Homefront”) subs for Mr. Thornton as the coach of the high school football team “that he is in charge of molding and taking all the way – will they rise to the challenge?!” That is a direct paraphrase from the official NBC Web site.

Queer factor: Shows about sports usually have hunky jock types.

Queer detractor: Shows about sports also feature sports. Airs Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. beginning Oct. 3

“Twenty Good Years” has a slight “Odd Couple” theme going for it. John Lithgow (“Third Rock from the Sun”) and Jeffrey Tambor (“Arrested Development”) play friends who are as different as night and day and who want to make the most of their “sunset years.”

Queer factor: Lithgow has always displayed “flair” with his characters. He played a transsexual in the film The World According to Garp and his character on “Third Rock,” though not gay, was named Dick. My money’s on him to be more of the Felix-type character.

Queer detractor: These sexagenarians are not “The Golden Girls.” Have audiences forgiven Tambor for taking part in the ill-fated “Three’s Company” spin-off “The Ropers”? I haven’t! Airs Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. beginning Oct. 4

“30 Rock” chronicles the goings-on behind the scenes of a “Saturday Night Live”-type show. This one is an all-out comedy with “SNL” vets Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Tracy Morgan and frequent guest host Alec Baldwin.

Queer factor: Fey is the brains behind this comedy, and she also wrote Mean Girls, a gay fave.

Queer detractor: For those of us who still watch “SNL,” we will be losing Fey and Dratch to this show. If it misses, will they be invited back? Airs Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. beginning Oct. 4

“Kidnapped” is a high-stakes serialized drama focusing around… a kidnapping. A wealthy family’s 15-year-old son is abducted, and everyone becomes a suspect.

Queer factor: It’s about time they put Dana Delany of “China Beach” back on primetime. She plays the frantic mother. Timothy Hutton plays the cooler-headed father. “Six Feet Under” psycho hottie Jeremy Sisto is the man they enlist to help them get their son back.

Queer detractor: NBC is terming this show as “edge of your seat,” and when some gay fans find out that isn’t a variation on the term “frottage,” there could be a backlash. Airs Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 20

“Brothers & Sisters” is a drama that illustrates what it’s like to be a family in the 21st century. Members of the Walker family include Rachel Griffiths (“Six Feet Under”), Balthazar Getty (“Alias”), Calista Flockhart (“Ally McBeal”), Tom Skerritt (Alien) and Sally Field (“The Flying Nun”).

Queer factor: This show not only has the best shot at keeping a gay character on it past the first season (played by Matthew Rhys), it also has an awesome cast! It’s on right after “Desperate Housewives,” since they moved “Grey’s Anatomy” to Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. Thank god for this show – I wasn’t sure how much longer I could stomach two-time Academy Award-winning Field in those osteoporosis commercials.

Queer detractor: The show is seen through the eyes of Flockhart’s character, Kitty, a right-wing TV pundit. Audiences may confuse the title with Field’s film drama Not Without my Daughter and become very moody when they find out it’s not. Airs Sundays at 10:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 24

“Knights of Prosperity” follows a group of rag-tag, down-on-their-luck guys who come up with a brilliant idea – to rob Mick Jagger. Well, his palatial Central Park West apartment, anyway. Stars Donal Logue (“Grounded for Life” and many of the “I Love…” ’70s, ’80s and ’90s” shows on VH-1).

Queer factor: Jagger was linked romantically to David Bowie in the past. Maybe the robbers will unearth some dish about that!

Queer detractor: While the show is drawing advanced buzz, due in part to Jagger having a cameo in the pilot episode, even gay audiences may be questioning how long this show can sustain itself with its premise. Airs Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. beginning Oct. 17

“Help Me Help You” stars Ted Danson as a psychiatrist who conducts group therapy for a bunch of “messed up” folks. And, keeping in line with a theory I’ve always had about psychiatrists, Danson’s character is the one most in need of help.

Queer factor: Thankfully, Danson is not playing the gay character. Instead, we have Jim Rash, a not-so-straight-acting straight man who everyone thinks is gay, except him. Tip-offs include his high-pitched voice and his dilemma when picking out a J Crew blazer: Winter Melon or Coral? Whatever!

Queer detractor: Not exactly your father’s “Bob Newhart Show” and definitely not a great gay representation for us or the masses. Airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 26

“The Nine” is an “intense drama” about nine people involved in a 52-hour-long bank robbery/hostage situation who will be linked together forever. Taking a big cue from its lead-in show, “Lost,” the show will start out with a flashback to reveal more about what transpired for the hostages during the bank robbery.

Queer factor: Stars Tim Daly (“Wings”) and Scott Wolf (“Party of Five”).

Queer detractor: Despite its title, the show is not a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a porn star. Airs Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. beginning Oct. 4

“Ugly Betty” sounds a wee bit familiar. A fashion-senseless young lady goes to work for a fashion magazine. But this devil wears a poncho – to hide the fact that she’s about three flu seasons away from her goal weight.

Queer factor: We love a good underdog story, and this show seems to have it in spades. The Devil Wears Prada certainly showed its legs at the box office this summer, so that could translate into a fun show to watch, with America Ferrera (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and Eric Mabius (“The O.C.” and “The L Word”).

Queer detractor: While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this could prove to be bargain basement Prada. That’s all. Airs Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 28

“Six Degrees” does not star Kevin Bacon (because then it would be called “One Degree”). However, it does feature Hope Davis of indie film fame, the adorable Jay Hernandez (Hostel) and Erika Christensen (Flight Plan) as strangers affecting each others lives by the titular six degrees. The show is brought to us by the good folks who created “Lost” and “Alias.”

Queer factor: Christensen did star opposite Jodie Foster in Flight Plan, so that’s something, as is the possibility of many shirtless scenes for Hernandez.

Queer detractor: Doing a weekly show might ruin Davis’ indie street cred. Airs Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 21

“Men in Trees” refers to the male populace of Elmo, Alaska, where series star Anne Heche finds herself after learning her fiancé is cheating on her. The show with Heche as a relationship-guru author (she should win an Emmy!) was created by Jenny Bicks of “Sex and the City.”

Queer factor: For awhile, Heche knew something about “Women in Bushes.”

Queer detractor: That was then, this is now – nobody puts Ellen in a corner! Airs Fridays at 9:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 15

Two other comedies, “Big Day” and “Notes from the Underbelly,” will possibly find homes later in the fall, which most likely translates to “see you mid-season.”

“The Class” is about eight 20-something characters holding a third-grade class reunion. OK. Sean Maguire plays very openly gay Kyle and Sam Harris plays Perry, a man with one foot still in the closet.

Queer factor: Two gays on one show!

Queer detractor: These two versions of gay on this show. Airs Mondays at 8:00 p.m.

“Smith” is the flipside of the law procedural. It’s a criminal procedural about a group of criminals who are adept at pulling off big jobs that pay handsomely. Ray Liotta (Goodfellas) is the father figure of this family of crime-starters. He is also married to Virginia Madsen (Sideways) and is trying to pull off one last job to help out his “retirement fund.”

Queer factor: Simon Baker, who played the smarmy guy who tried to woo Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada, is on the show. So are Jonny Lee Miller, who is the first ex-Mr. Angelina Jolie, and Amy Smart, whose character, Annie, is described on the CBS Web site as “a beautiful master of disguise who can manipulate any situation with her looks.” How very 18th century of CBS.

Queer detractor: Will gay audiences tune in to see Ray Liotta “go straight?” Airs Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m.

“Jericho” brings Scream hottie Skeet Ulrich to the small screen. In this post-apocalyptic drama, which is executive produced by filmmakers Ridley and Tony Scott, Ulrich and the citizens of the small town they inhabit must deal with being isolated by a nuclear disaster.

Queer factor: Ulrich was a gay pin-up boy in the ’90s. One of his co-stars, Brad Beyer, was in the movie Trick.

Queer detractor: After a nuclear war, there are probably no showers, which will make Ulrich look greasier than usual. Airs Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.

“Shark” features James Woods playing a win-at-all-costs defense attorney named Sebastian Stark. Get it? A lawyer is commonly known as a shark, and his character’s name rhymes with shark.

Queer factor: Woods’ character wants to redeem himself but not give up his underhanded ways. Nope, doesn’t sound like any backstabbing queens I’ve ever known. Co-star Sam Page is good eye candy.

Queer detractor: Just another lawyer show. Airs Thursdays at 10:00 p.m.

“Vanished” is a twisty-turny show similar to “CSI” and “24,” with a dose of The Da Vinci Code thrown in for good measure. The plot involves the disappearance of the beautiful young wife of a prominent senator. Everyone is a suspect, has a secret and is not who they appear to be…

Queer factor: Stars Gale Harold (Brian Kinney on “Queer as Folk”) as a senior FBI agent taking on the case alongside Ming-Na of “ER” fame. And, hey, Rebecca Gayheart will be on board as an ambitious reporter.

Queer detractor: Harold is playing it straight for this role, which is too bad because they just announced that hunky Eddie Cibrian (“Invasion”) is joining the cast. Now that’s the kind of undercover work I want to be seeing! Airs Mondays at 9:00 p.m.

“Standoff” is described as “part action/part romance.” Two negotiators in The FBI’s CNU unit balance their work and professional lives.

Queer factor: FOX is trying to liken the show to “Moonlighting.”

Queer detractor: Stars Ron Livingston (Office Space), who broke up with Carrie Bradshaw on “Sex and the City” …on a Post-It note. Airs Tuesdays at 9:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 5

FOX’s brand of “Justice” is a look at how high-profile cases are tried in the media. The show is executive produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and stars Victor Garber of “Alias.”

Queer factor: Kerr Smith (you know, the gay on “Dawson’s Creek”) is on the show, as is Luther Graves from “Oz” and Rebecca Mader from The Devil Wears Prada.

Queer detractor: None of the aforementioned actors will be involved in an on-air male-to-male lip lock or shower scene, nor will they be weighing the pros and cons of the fashion world. Airs Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m.

It’s the old married-couple-versus-the-newlyweds scenario on “Til Death.” Oh joy, Brad Garrett of the presumptuously named “Everybody Loves Raymond” is back on a weekly sitcom!

Queer factor: Joely Fisher of “Ellen” is also on the show playing Garrett’s wife. I wonder what kind of hazard pay she’s getting.

Queer detractor: The newlywed characters on the show, Eddie Kaye Thomas and Kat Foster, have the surname Woodcock. Ouch, splinter factor! Airs Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 7

“Happy Hour” sounds like anything but for the characters in this comedy, one of whom loses his girl, his job and his place to live and then moves in with his friend Larry, who’s engaged to a shrew. Sounds like the makings of comedy gold.

Queer factor: On paper, the show comes across as a more dysfunctional version of “Three’s Company.”

Queer detractor: It’s a buddy comedy, but they are not those kinds of buddies. Airs Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 7

Oh, that crafty Brit Simon Cowell is up to his old tricks again with “Celebrity Duets.” A panel of judges will either make or break wannabe songbirds, including “Xena” herself, Lucy Lawless, “Queer Eye” guy Jai Rodriguez, Hal Sparks of “Queer as Folk” and Lea Thompson from the Back to the Future franchise. (Hopefully she retained some of what she learned from playing a rocker chick in 1986’s Howard the Duck. Then again, this might be a good time for career amnesia.) But wait, there’s more! These aspiring vocalists will be teamed with the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick, Macy Gray, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Belinda Carlisle, Taylor Dayne, Wynonna Judd and… Michael Bolton.

Queer factor: Can you say Fag-A-Palooza?

Queer detractor: Doesn’t look like there’s any to be had! Well, there is the Bolton factor. Airs Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. beginning Aug. 31

The CW is a new channel – well, kind of. It’s the blending of The WB and UPN. Hopefully these two flavors will taste great together.

“The Game” is a peek into the lives of footballers’ wives and girlfriends, and is set in San Diego.

Queer factor: The boyfriend football player character is a third-string wide receiver.

Queer detractor: A spin-off of “Girlfriends” with nary a girlfriend in sight! Airs Sundays at 8: 30 p.m. beginning Oct. 1

“Runaway” follows the Rader family, who are on the run after the family patriarch, Paul Rader, is unjustly accused of a heinous crime.

Queer factor: Stars one of the Wahlberg brothers and is executive produced by Darren Star (“Sex and the City” and “Melrose Place”).

Queer detractor: The Wahlberg in question is Donnie, not Mark. Airs Mondays at 9:00 p.m. beginning Sept. 25

If you were living under a gay rock this summer, then you may not have heard the news that Star Jones is no longer among the ladies of “The View” and that Rosie O’Donnell is replacing Meredith Vieira, who’s migrating to the “Today” show. A lot of people have expressed disappointment about Jones’ exit before she and O’Donnell could “exchange views.” Forget Jones! I can’t wait to see Rosie tear into conservative Elisabeth Hasselbeck like a thigh/wing combo from KFC! Starts back up Sept. 5

“The Megan Mullally Show” is hoping to revive the type of talk show that will be part variety/part gab fest (which the late Mike Douglas did back in the day) and reportedly the first guest is Will Ferrell. Airs on NBC beginning Sept. 18

Chris Cuomo, the strapping hunk from “Primetime,” gives the morning shift a go as Charles Gibson’s replacement on “Good Morning America.” Sept. 5

Joan Rivers (whose one-time famous line “Can we talk?” has morphed into “Can we dish?”) is set to host a “View”-type talk show on Bravo sometime this fall. This would mark Rivers’ return to a talk-show forum, but with a twist: Her co-hosts are slated to be three gay males, and one of them could be former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey!